Welded Fencing System with Prefabricated Connectors

ABSTRACT

A corner fitting includes a sleeve body having a hollow inner space and configured to coaxially fit over a pipe member of a predetermined size. An edge of the sleeve body at a second distal end has a corner cut portion, a protruding tab, and two recesses, the protruding tab being diametrically opposed to the corner cut portion in the radial direction of the sleeve body, and the recesses being diametrically opposed to each other in the radial direction of the sleeve body. The corner cut portion is configured and shaped such that the sleeve body fits together with an identical sleeve body on the pipe member of the predetermined size with the corner cut portions of the two sleeve bodies contacting each other and with the pipe being nested between the protruding tabs of the second distal ends of the two sleeve bodies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 14/197,398,filed Mar. 5, 2014 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/777,649 filed Mar. 12, 2013, the contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of buildingstructures using pipe as a structural member, and in one particularembodiment relates to the use of reclaimed pipe such as drill pipe whichhas been used for oil extraction.

BACKGROUND

The conventional method of building with pipe requires the employment ofan experienced welder. The welder employs a torch or plasma cutter, achop saw, a grinder, a welding rod, oxygen and acetylene tanks, grindingwheels, a power source, and the like.

As an example, a welder may build a fence from reclaimed drill pipe. Todo so the welder begins by cutting drill pipe from raw stock, using ademolition saw, to form posts and rails which match the structurespecifications. Once the posts are cut, they are pounded into the groundalong the fence line. Using an oxygen and acetylene cutting torch thewelder cuts a saddle into each post top to hold the top rail. Next hewill cut a piece of pipe to extend between adjacent posts, includingcutting a saddle out of each end to fit the two posts. A jig may be usedto mark and cut the pipe. A torch or plasma device is used to cut thesaddle, and thus a rough edge is left and it is necessary to grind asmooth surface before welding. Each saddle is thusly formed by hand andthere will be imperfections and variations in the shape of the saddles.In order to attempt to achieve a proper saddle fit, the welder mightpound the rail into the post or use a welding rod to fill gaps andimperfections.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identifykey/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of theinvention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed hereinin a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description thatis presented later.

However, the conventional method has many draw backs. Gaps orimperfections in the saddle can result in an unwanted moisture path inthe finished joint. Gaps will also result in a weaker weld and a weakerfinished structure. Lack of consistency between the saddles and thewelds negatively affects the look, feel, and strength of the finishedproduct. Also, significant grinding is necessary to remove sharp bursand the like, in order to ensure that livestock or people will not beharmed by contact with jagged weld points. The process of creatingjoints by hand is even more complicated when creating corner joints atangles such as 45 or 22.5 degrees. Such corner joints require theprecise marrying of two hand-cut pieces, and may thus be even more proneto have gaps and imperfections.

Additionally, the conventional technique is a work-intensive endeavorthat requires experienced and expensive labor.

Further still, new regulations and safety standards are beingimplemented with respect to plasma devices and torches, and in somestates multiple parties are required in order to manage the hazards of aplasma device or torch.

The present invention eliminates the need for hand-crafting each jointof a structure by providing a universal auxiliary fitting componentwhich is configured to be usable in several different types of joints,as discussed in more detail below. The invention described herein has agoal of eliminating the above-discussed problems and hazards. Accordingto the features and aspects of the present invention, it is possible toreduce or eliminate the occurrence of gaps and imperfections in thejoints between pipe members, reduce the amount of labor required tobuild a structure, reduce the experience and expertise needed to achievea strong and durable structure, reduce the amount of grinding required,and reduce or eliminate the need for a plasma device or torch. Thepresent invention reduces the need for precision cuts, and reduces theoccurrence of imperfections to thereby yield a stronger finishedstructure of a higher overall quality. Additionally, because it ispossible to reduce or eliminate gaps in the joints between pipes, thefinished structure will last longer due to the elimination of unwantedmoisture penetration.

Although the present invention is not limited to the use of reclaimed orused drill pipe, the invention is especially useful due to the fact thatthere are millions of feet of discarded drill pipe which can be used tobuild fences, storage sheds, dwelling structures, and the like byutilizing the present invention. Such recycling is particularlyadvantageous in view of the fact that oil drilling is often undertakenin remote regions where materials and resources are limited.

The above-described advantages of the present invention are achievedusing a corner fitting having a sleeve body with a hollow inner spaceand configured to coaxially fit over a pipe member of a predeterminedsize. The sleeve body has a first distal end and a second distal endspaced apart from the first distal end in a longitudinal direction, andan edge of the sleeve body at the first distal end has two protrudingtabs and two recesses. The two protruding tabs and the two recesses ofthe first distal end of the sleeve body are configured and arranged suchthat the first distal end of the sleeve body fits over the pipe memberof the predetermined size with the sleeve body contacting an outerperiphery of the pipe member at the protruding tabs and at the recessesin a state in which a longitudinal axis of the pipe member isperpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve body and the pipemember is nested in the recesses and between the two protruding tabs ofthe first distal end. An edge of the sleeve body at the second distalend has a corner cut portion, a protruding tab, and two recesses. Thecorner cut portion is configured and shaped such that the sleeve bodyfits together with an identical sleeve body on the pipe member of thepredetermined size in an arrangement with the longitudinal axes of thetwo sleeve bodies being transverse with respect to each other with thecorner cut portions of the two sleeve bodies contacting each other andwith the pipe being nested between the protruding tabs of the seconddistal ends of the two sleeve bodies.

The two recesses, the protruding tab, and the corner cut portion of thesecond distal end of the sleeve body may be configured and arranged suchthat the second distal end of the sleeve body fits over the pipe memberof the predetermined size with the sleeve body contacting an outerperiphery of the pipe member at the recesses and the protruding tab in astate in which a longitudinal axis of the pipe member is perpendicularto a longitudinal axis of the sleeve body and the pipe member is nestedin the recesses of the second distal end. The corner cut portionincludes two knobs and an arcuate recess extending inwardly in thelongitudinal direction of the sleeve body between the two knobs, withone of the two knobs being contiguous with one of the recesses at thesecond distal end of the sleeve body and the other of the two knobsbeing contiguous with the other of the recesses at the second distal endof the sleeve body. The arcuate recess of the corner cut portion isconfigured such that the sleeve body fits together with an identicalsleeve body at a predetermined angle with the corner cut portionscontacting each other over an entirety of each corner cut portion.

The above-described configuration of a corner fitting advantageouslyfacilitates the creation of several different types of joints with thesame fitting member, thereby eliminating the need for painstakinglyshaping and grinding the ends of pipe members to fit together duringconstruction of a structure.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the followingdetailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a corner fitting in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the corner fitting of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the corner fitting of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the corner fitting of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the corner fitting of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a right side view of the corner fitting of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a bottom side view of the corner fitting of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a splice fitting in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the splice fitting of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a rear view of the splice fitting of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the splice fitting of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 shows a left side view of the splice fitting of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 shows a right side view of the splice fitting of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 shows a bottom side view of the splice fitting of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 shows two splice fittings disposed on a pipe member inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 shows a structure that can be formed with two splice fittingsdisposed on a pipe member and interposed between two vertical pipemembers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 shows a top view of the structure of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 shows a front view of a structure formed with two cornerfittings disposed on a pipe member and interposed between two verticalpipe members in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 shows a structure that can be formed with two corner fittingsand a pipe member in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 shows a structure that can be formed with two corner fittingsand a pipe member in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 shows a top view of the structure of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 shows a top view of a corner fitting at an angle θ of 45 degreesin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 shows a top view of a corner fitting at an angle θ of 22.5degrees in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 shows a splice fitting used as an upright connector inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 shows a side view of a corner fitting used as an uprightconnector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 shows a different side view of a corner fitting used as anupright connector in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 27 shows a corner fitting used as an end-to-end connector inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 shows a splice fitting used as an end-to-end connector inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 shows a structure formed of multiple splice fittings andmultiple corner fittings in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 30 shows a fence structure formed of multiple splice fittings andmultiple corner fittings in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of building a structureincluding a splice fitting in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 32 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of building a structureincluding a corner fitting in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 33 shows a strength test of a structural member made from sleevebodies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is notintended to represent the only forms in which the present example may beconstructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of theexample and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating theexample. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may beaccomplished by different examples.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and notmeant as a limitation on the invention. For example, featuresillustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used onanother embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is intendedthat the present application include such modifications and variationsas come within the scope and spirit of the invention. Repeat use ofreference characters throughout the present specification and appendeddrawings represents the same or analogous features, elements, or stepsof the invention.

FIGS. 1 through 7 show an embodiment of a corner fitting (20). Thecorner fitting (20) includes a sleeve body (21) having a hollow innerspace (22) and con

FIG.d to coaxially fit over a pipe member of a predetermined size. Thesleeve body has a first distal end (24) and a second distal end (25)spaced apart from the first distal end (24) in a longitudinal direction(200).

An edge of the sleeve body (21) at the second distal end (25) has acorner cut portion (29), a protruding tab (27), and two recesses (28),the protruding tab (27) protruding farther than the recesses in thelongitudinal direction (200). The protruding tab (27) is diametricallyopposed to the corner cut portion (29) in the radial direction of thesleeve body (21), and the recesses (28) are diametrically opposed toeach other in the radial direction of the sleeve body, such that therecesses (28) are arranged between the protruding tab (27) and thecorner cut portion (29) in the circumferential direction of the sleevebody.

The two recesses (28), the protruding tab (27), and the corner cutportion (29) of the second distal end (25) of the sleeve body are conFIG.d and arranged such that the second distal end (25) of the sleevebody can fit over the pipe member of the predetermined size with thesleeve body contacting an outer periphery of the pipe member at therecesses (28) and the protruding tab (27) in a state in which alongitudinal axis of the pipe member is perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis of the sleeve body (21) and the pipe member is nested in therecesses (28) of the second distal end (25). The corner cut portion (29)is con FIG.d and shaped such that the sleeve body fits together with acorner cut portion of an identical sleeve body or substantiallyidentical sleeve body, as shown in FIG. 19. In other words, the twosleeve bodies are identical or very similar in structural configuration,and in particular the depth, angle, and curvature of the corner cutportion. The two corner fittings can be disposed on the pipe member (30)of the predetermined size in an arrangement with the longitudinal axesof the two sleeve bodies being transverse with respect to each otherwhile the corner cut portions (29) of the two sleeve bodies contact eachother and the pipe is nested between the protruding tabs (27) of thesecond distal ends (25) of the two sleeve bodies. This arrangement oftwo corner fittings forms a corner joint, as shown in FIG.

19. The corner cut portions (29) make constant contact with each otheraround their entire circumferential extent, and the remainder of theedge of each sleeve body makes constant contact around its entirecircumferential extent with the pipe member (30).

An edge of the sleeve body at the first distal end has two protrudingtabs (27) and two recesses (28), the protruding tabs (27) protrudingfarther than the recesses (28) in the longitudinal direction (200). Theprotruding tabs (27) are diametrically opposed to each other in a radialdirection of the sleeve body, and the recesses (28) are diametricallyopposed to each other in the radial direction of the sleeve body, suchthat the protruding tabs and the recesses are arranged alternatelyaround a circumferential direction of the sleeve body.

The two protruding tabs (27) and the two recesses (28) of the firstdistal end (24) of the sleeve body are con FIG.d and arranged such thatthe first distal end (24) of the sleeve body (21) can fit over the pipemember of the predetermined size with the sleeve body contacting anouter periphery of the pipe member at the protruding tabs (27) and atthe recesses (28). The longitudinal axis of the pipe member isperpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve body (21) and thepipe member is nested in the recesses (28) and between the twoprotruding tabs (27), and constant contact is maintained around theentire edge of the sleeve body (21). Such a configuration allows for anH-joint to be formed such as that shown in FIG. 18, and also allows fora T-joint (i.e. upright connector) to be formed such as that shown inFIG. 25.

The corner cut portion includes two knobs (29 a, 29 b) and an arcuaterecess (29 c) extending inwardly in the longitudinal direction of thesleeve body (21) between the two knobs (29 a, 29 b). A first one of thetwo knobs (29 a) is contiguous with one of the recesses at the seconddistal end of the sleeve body and the other of the two knobs (29 b) iscontiguous with the other of the recesses at the second distal end ofthe sleeve body. The arcuate recess (29 c) of the corner cut portion(29) is con FIG.d such that the sleeve body fits together with anidentical sleeve body at a predetermined angle with the corner cutportions contacting each other over an entirety of each corner cutportion. In other words, the corner cut portion has a depth andcurvature so as to form a predetermined angle when paired with anothersuch sleeve body in a mirror image arrangement such as that shown inFIGS. 19 and 20.

The angle formed by the corner fitting can be 90 degrees, 45 degrees,22.5 degrees or the like. Specifically, a corner fitting can be madewhich will result in a desired angle ranging from 5 degrees to 90degrees. Each corner fitting forms one predetermined angle, and isusually to be used with a corner fitting corresponding to the samepredetermined angle. Accordingly, a user will select corner fittingsbased on the desired angle to be formed and/or according to thespecifications of the structure being built. The corner fitting is anout-of-the-box fitting, which is to say that it is pre-fabricated anddistributed in standardized sizes corresponding to the diameters ofpipes which are most often used. This allows the end user to avoid thedelay and imprecision of forming connections by shaping the ends of thepipe members themselves.

The above-described configuration of a corner fitting advantageouslyfacilitates the creation of several different types of joints with thesame member, thereby eliminating the need for hand-crafting the ends ofpipe members to fit together. In particular, the corner fitting can beused to create a corner joint, an H-joint, a T-joint, and can also beused to connect pipe members end-to-end. Accordingly, a person whowishes to construct a fence, storage shed, dwelling, or other structureusing pipe as a structural load bearing member can obtain several cornerfittings or several dozen corner fittings, depending on need, and selectand use each individual corner fitting based on the type of jointdesired. It is thus appreciated that a corner fitting can be used as auniversal fitting.

When the corner fitting is disposed to coaxially fit over a pipe member,a clearance between the fitting and the pipe member is not more than ¼of an inch, and is preferably not more than 1/32 of an inch. As such,the fitting is in close contact with the pipe member, and a strongstructural unit can be formed by the overlap and close contact of thefitting and pipe member when these two pieces are connected.

The sleeve body of the present invention is made of ASTM or ASTM A283Csteel in one embodiment. In other embodiments the sleeve body can bemade of any carbon steel or other suitable material. The presentinvention can be used with pipe of any type of steel or metal, includingstandard steel pipes, line steel pipes, aluminum pipes, and copperpipes. Aluminum or copper pipes could be brazed instead of welded, oralternatively could be fixed with self-tapping screws or the like.

FIGS. 8 through 14 show an embodiment of a splice fitting (10). Thesplice fitting (10) includes a sleeve body (11) having a hollow innerspace (12) and con FIG.d to coaxially fit over a pipe member of apredetermined size. The sleeve body of the splice fitting has a firstdistal end (14) and a second distal end (15) spaced apart from the firstdistal end (14) in a longitudinal direction (100). An edge of the sleevebody of the splice fitting at the first distal end has two protrudingtabs (17) and two recesses (18). The protruding tabs (17) protrudefarther than the recesses (18) in the longitudinal direction. Theprotruding tabs (17) are diametrically opposed to each other in a radialdirection of the sleeve body, and the recesses (18) are diametricallyopposed to each other in the radial direction of the sleeve body, suchthat the protruding tabs (17) and the recesses (18) are arrangedalternately around a circumferential direction of the sleeve body. Thesecond distal end (1 5) of the sleeve body (11) has the same orsubstantially the same shape as the first end (14). The protruding tabs(17) of the first distal end (14) may be offset by 90 degrees from theprotruding tabs (17) of the second distal end (15)

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the two protruding tabs (17) and the tworecesses (18) are con FIG.d and arranged such that either end of thesleeve body (11) can fit over the pipe member of the predetermined sizewith the sleeve body (11) contacting an outer periphery of the pipemember at the protruding tabs (17) and at the recesses (18). Thelongitudinal axis of the pipe member is perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis of the sleeve body and the pipe member is nested in the recessesand between the two protruding tabs, and constant contact with the pipemember is maintained around the entire edge of the sleeve body (11).Such a configuration allows for an H-joint to be formed such as thatshown in FIG. 16, and also allows for a T-joint to be formed such asthat shown in FIG. 24.

FIGS. 15 through 28 show different joints that can be formed by theabove-described corner fitting and splice fitting in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows two splice fittings(10) disposed on a horizontal pipe member (30). FIG. 16 shows astructure that can be formed with two splice fittings (10) disposed on apipe member (30) and interposed between two vertical pipe members (40).FIG. 17 shows a top view of the structure of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 shows afront view of a structure formed with two corner fittings (20) disposedon a pipe member (30) and interposed between two vertical pipe members(40). The vertical pipe members (40) of FIGS. 16 and 18 may be, forinstance, fence posts for a fence structure or load bearing members of adwelling structure or shed.

FIG. 19 shows a corner joint that can be formed with two corner fittings(20) and a pipe member (40). FIG. 20 shows another corner joint that canbe formed with two corner fittings (20) and a pipe member (40). FIG. 21shows a top view of the structure of FIG. 20. FIG. 22 shows a top viewof a corner fitting at an angle θ other than 90 degrees. The angle θshown in FIG. 22 is 45 degrees, but in other embodiments the angle maybe any desired angle. FIG. 23 shows a top view of a corner fitting at anangle θ of 22.5 degrees. A corner joint can be used at a corner of afence, a corner of a dwelling structure, a corner of a shed, or thelike.

FIG. 24 shows a splice fitting used (10) as an upright connector betweena vertical pipe member (40) and a horizontal pipe member (30). FIG. 25shows a side view of a corner fitting (20) used as an upright connector.The upright connector can be used to form a top rail of a fence, a handrailing, or a topmost horizontal load bearing member of a shed or thelike. FIG. 26 shows a different side view of a corner fitting used as anupright connector.

FIG. 27 shows a corner fitting (20) used as an end-to-end connector ofpipe member (30) and pipe member (50) with longitudinal axes that areparallel or substantially parallel. FIG. 28 shows a splice fitting usedas an end-to-end connector of pipe member (30) and pipe member (50) withlongitudinal axes that are parallel or substantially parallel. Anend-to-end connection can be desirable to connect two pipe members whichform the top rail of a fence, for example.

FIG. 29 shows a structure formed of multiple splice fittings (10) andmultiple corner fittings (20). FIG. 30 shows a fence structure formed ofmultiple splice fittings (10) and multiple corner fittings (20). As canbe appreciated from the examples of FIGS. 29 and 30, the variety ofstructures which can be constructed using the present invention isvirtually limitless.

FIG. 31 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of building a structureincluding a splice fitting. A splice fitting is provided or obtained instep 1 of the method, and in step 2 the splice fitting is disposedcoaxially on a first pipe member. One end of the splice fitting iswelded to the first pipe member in step 3, resulting in the arrangementshown in FIG. 24 between pipe member (40) and splice fitting (10). Instep 4, a second pipe member is arranged perpendicular relative to thefirst pipe member and between the protruding tabs of the other end ofthe splice fitting, resulting in the arrangement shown in FIG. 24between pipe member (30) and splice fitting (10). In step 5, the otherend of the splice fitting is welded to the second pipe. In such amanner, a T-joint or upright connector is fabricated. Such a joint isdisposed within a larger structure in accordance with the specificationsof the structure being built.

FIG. 32 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of building a structureincluding two corner fittings arranged to create a corner joint. Twocorner fittings are provided or obtained in step 1 of the method. Thetwo corner fittings will usually be corner fittings which are identicalin the depth, angle, and curvature of the corner cut portion, andthereby constitute two corner fittings con FIG.d to create the samepredetermined angle. In step 2 the two corner fittings are then arrangedwith the corner cut portions contacting each other and with a pipemember nested between the protruding tabs, resulting in the arrangementshown in any of FIGS. 19-23. In step 3, the corner fittings are weldedto each other and to the pipe member, thereby creating a corner joint.Such a joint is disposed within a larger structure in accordance withthe specifications of the structure being built.

As can be appreciated from FIGS. 31 and 32, the variety of structureswhich can be constructed using the present invention is virtuallylimitless.

The present invention is particularly advantageous with respect to drillpipe because there are millions of feet of used or discarded drill pipe.This material can be reclaimed and recycled by constructing a structuretherefrom. Such recycling is particularly advantageous in view of thefact that oil drilling is often undertaken in remote regions wherematerials and resources are limited. The term “drill pipe” as usedherein refers to oilfield drill pipe of the general type disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,244,631 and 5,505,502, the contents of both of whichare hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

However, the present invention is not strictly limited to used orreclaimed drill pipe. The present invention can be used with pipe of anytype of steel or metal, including standard steel pipes, line steelpipes, aluminum pipes, and copper pipes. Aluminum or copper pipes couldbe brazed instead of welded, or alternatively could be fixed withself-tapping screws or the like. The sleeve body of the corner fittingor splice fitting is made of ASTM or ASTM A283C steel in one embodiment.In other embodiments the sleeve body can be made of any carbon steel orother suitable material.

An embodiment of the present invention also enhances weld strength bycreating a capillary action which causes the weld to be sucked into thefitting between the sleeve body and the pipe member. This is possiblewith the use of magnetically complimentary steel materials for thesleeve body and the pipe member. FIG. 33 shows a strength test of astructural member made from sleeve bodies of the present invention.

Sleeve bodies are welded to pipe members in one embodiment, and thewelding can be wire feed welding, stick welding, or brazing.Self-tapping screws, drill and bolt connections, epoxy, other types ofadhesives, and/or the like can be used in other embodiments.

Particular embodiments that are used with reclaimed drill pipe are sizedspecifically for use with designated sizes of drill pipe. For instance,an end user who has many linear feet of 2.875 inch drill pipe (2 and⅞ths inch outside diameter) would obtain corner fittings and/or splicefittings which are sized for use with 2.875 inch drill pipe. An end usercan obtain corner fittings and splice fittings based on the diameter ofpipe which is expected to be used, the type of structures expected to bebuilt, and the angles which need to be formed. Sizes for drill pipevary, and can go up to a diameter of approximately 7.5 inches; otherapplications may use even bigger pipe.

Because an individual corner fitting fits coaxially over a pipe of apredetermined size in an arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 27, andalso has a first distal end which fits over a pipe of the samepredetermined size with the longitudinal axis of the pipe beingperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fitting in an arrangementsuch as that shown in FIG. 18, and also fits together with a similarcorner fitting to create a corner joint on a pipe of the samepredetermined size in an arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 19, eachindividual corner fitting is capable of creating several different typesof joints with a given size of pipe. For instance, when the fitting issized to be used with 2.875 inch drill pipe, the fitting can create thecoaxial joint or end-to-end joint shown in FIG. 27, the T-joint shown inFIG. 18, and the corner joint shown in FIG. 19 all with pipe having anouter diameter of 2.875 inches. In the same manner, a splice fittingsized to be used with 2.875 inch drill pipe can create a coaxial orend-to-end joint shown in FIG. 28 and the T-joint shown in FIG. 24 bothwith pipe having an outer diameter of 2.875 inches.

Those skilled in the art will realize that the process sequencesdescribed above may be equivalently performed in any order to achieve adesired result. Also, sub-processes may typically be omitted as desiredwithout taking away from the overall functionality of the processesdescribed above.

1. A corner fitting comprising: a sleeve body having a hollow innerspace and configured to coaxially fit over a pipe member of apredetermined size, wherein the a sleeve body has a first distal end anda second distal end spaced apart from the first distal end in alongitudinal direction, wherein an edge of the sleeve body at the firstdistal end has two protruding tabs and two recesses, the protruding tabsprotruding farther than the recesses in the longitudinal direction, theprotruding tabs being diametrically opposed to each other in a radialdirection of the sleeve body, and the recesses being diametricallyopposed to each other in the radial direction of the sleeve body, suchthat the protruding tabs and the recesses are arranged alternatelyaround a circumferential direction of the sleeve body, wherein an edgeof the sleeve body at the second distal end has a corner cut portion, aprotruding tab, and two recesses, the protruding tab protruding fartherthan the recesses in the longitudinal direction, the protruding tabbeing diametrically opposed to the corner cut portion in the radialdirection of the sleeve body, and the recesses being diametricallyopposed to each other in the radial direction of the sleeve body, suchthat the recesses are arranged between the protruding tab and the cornercut portion in the circumferential direction of the sleeve body.
 2. Asplice fitting comprising a sleeve body having a hollow inner space andconfigured to coaxially fit over a pipe member of a predetermined size,wherein the sleeve body of the splice fitting has a first distal end anda second distal end spaced apart from the first distal end in alongitudinal direction, wherein an edge of the sleeve body of the splicefitting at the first distal end has two protruding tabs and tworecesses, the protruding tabs protruding farther than the recesses inthe longitudinal direction, the protruding tabs being diametricallyopposed to each other in a radial direction of the sleeve body, and therecesses being diametrically opposed to each other in the radialdirection of the sleeve body, such that the protruding tabs and therecesses are arranged alternately around a circumferential direction ofthe sleeve body, wherein the two protruding tabs and the two recesses ofthe first distal end of the sleeve body of the splice fitting areconfigured and arranged such that the first distal end of the sleevebody fits over the pipe member of the predetermined size with the sleevebody contacting an outer periphery of the pipe member at the protrudingtabs and at the recesses in a state in which a longitudinal axis of thepipe member is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve bodyand the pipe member is nested in the recesses and between the twoprotruding tabs of the first distal end, wherein an edge of the sleevebody of the splice fitting at the second distal end has two protrudingtabs and two recesses, the protruding tabs protruding farther than therecesses in the longitudinal direction, the protruding tabs beingdiametrically opposed to each other in a radial direction of the sleevebody, and the recesses being diametrically opposed to each other in theradial direction of the sleeve body, such that the protruding tabs andthe recesses are arranged alternately around a circumferential directionof the sleeve body, and wherein the two protruding tabs and the tworecesses of the second distal end of the sleeve body of the splicefitting are configured and arranged such that the second distal end ofthe sleeve body fits over the pipe member of the predetermined size withthe sleeve body contacting an outer periphery of the pipe member at theprotruding tabs and at the recesses in a state in which a longitudinalaxis of the pipe member is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thesleeve body and the pipe member is nested in the recesses and betweenthe two protruding tabs of the second distal end; providing a secondpipe member; providing a third pipe member; and creating a T-joint bywelding the splice fitting on the second pipe member such that thelongitudinal axis of the splice fitting is parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the second pipe member and welding the third pipe member to thesplice fitting with the longitudinal axis of the third pipe member beingperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second pipe member andwith the third pipe member being nested between the protruding tabs ofone of the first distal end and the second distal end of the splicefitting.